Well-deserving veterans take center stage at fishing tournament

Thursday

Sep 23, 2010 at 12:02 AM

BEN WILLIAMS

There are times when I wish I was a trained journalist rather than a fishmonger with a love for -- and some small knowledge of -- the outdoors. Such was the case last Saturday as my wife, Louann and I stood at the Palatka City Docks watching a fishing tournament weigh-in.

I think a trained journalist would have been better equipped to give credit where credit was due. He'd have known how to properly laud the organizers and volunteers for their efforts.

And he'd certainly have been better able to describe the appreciation that was shown to the guest participants for their sacrifices.

Sacrifices. I know that's a word not usually associated with a fishing tournament, but in this instance, it fits.

It fits because the tournament put on by the Bass Capital Bassmasters in conjunction with the VFW and American Legion of Palatka, and the Wounded Warrior posts of Gainesville and Jacksonville had a different focus from most fishing tournaments.

In this instance, the focus was not on the fish, the prizes, or who won, but rather on showing appreciation and respect for the veterans, some bearing visible scars of the sacrifices they had made for us. They were the guests of honor.

And it was how that appreciation and respect was demonstrated that stood out. What the Bassmasters managed to do was organize an event where every veteran who signed up was paired with one of our local tournament fishermen for a day on the water.

And this day on the water was at the sole expense of the fishermen who volunteered to take a veteran out. This is the second year the Bassmasters have put on the event, with the third already being in the planning stages. Veteran participation was near double of last year's event, yet not one veteran who registered was turned away as 64 fishermen stepped up with their time, their boats and their tackle.

The Bassmasters, volunteers, sponsors and fishermen involved with the event deserve credit for doing a good thing. And our veterans, well what they deserve is far more.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertising

Stay Connected

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The St. Augustine Record ~ One News Place, St. Augustine, FL 32086 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service